His numbers have improved steadily every season. He made some plays last season that were the kind star players make and he started shooting more. This year he's hurting from the holdout. Timing isn't there. What makes him a solid player is the way he sees the ice and his patience with the puck

@Say my Name You're a fool. The Rangers couldn't let Hank leave if they wanted to. Do you know what a PR dissaster is? That's when Hank is playing for the Flyers.

The Rangers had a 2-0 lead. How should they not have won that game? That 1st goal was bull. Go talk to the Devils fans mo! Players don't even want to play there (ie Parise & Kovalchuk). They're a 2nd rate team with no TV network.

@NYR44 I couldn't agree more. Every time the Nuks were beaten in the playoffs. It was because the other team got physical with them and they imploded like the Pens do. Shea Weber and Nashville did it the following season after the Boston series in the SCF. Then the AV led Canucks had a blueprint for defeat and other teams just followed it since 2010. Now the same will go for the Rangers. We had Mashinter but AV doesn't want a bruiser. He wants skilled players that can't stick up for themselves. The Rangers need a big guy on D and one for the 4th line. Maybe McIlrath will get a look sooner than later.

@Kevin DeLury Man some fans are crazy! I hate the call too and there's the Galchenyuk play MSG opener. There needs to be some consistency with the calls from Toronto. Even the announcer Micheletti thought that one was gonna be disallowed. Still got a point

This isn't a team the Rangers beat before they walk onto the ice. They lost to a strong defensive Devils team and in OT so they got a point. They also tied the game up late to get it to OT so there is a silver lining here. The Devils scored a fluke goal because that was the only way they were getting their first goal. They didn't just simply get beaten in OT either. It was a bad play by Callahan and the Devils would have had a PP for the entire OT period. Jeez be a fan or don't. The loss hurts but they got a point by being tough and scoring a late goal.

Of corse Boyle is only a checking line forward but he kills penalties. Wins big defensive zone draws and hits everything in sight. He's also one of the teams only big men. Miller has 1 goal on the year and can't make any of the degensive plays Boyle makes. He isn't really a checking line center man. He is better off playing top mins in Hartford. We need Boyle. His job is to be a shutdown forward. Not to shoot, pass or score. Just D.

The Rangers don't really need a forward. They need an offensive type defenseman. Someone with a hard shot that can bring the puck up ice. DZ is supposed to be that guy but he isn't getting it done but since he's been scratched, what's the Rangers record? If Mickalek is in shape and the knee injury is behind him then so be it. To me this team is in a win now mode but they won't do that unless they have a Dman that can make the opposition watch where he is. Creates time & space for the forwards to peal apart the defensive coverage.

I get that but they need that type of defenseman on the blue line. The guy that when he has the puck at the point. Everyone's head is up looking at him. It gives the forwards more scoring chances by giving them more time and space to grab rebounds or get tips in front. Sather tried but it looks like they're moving on from DZ. Maybe they're trying one last ditch effort to work with him. Build him and his confidence up but I don't know. He's the only guy with a respectable slap shot on the blue line. That's the one thing this team needs. Not a forward. They can get by with what they have up front.

The Sens can have him. If he were cheap, then it might be a good veteran signing but at 5 mil per. The Rangers would have to maneuver money around to make that work. No thanks if I'm GM. The Rangers need a Dan Boyle or a younger defenseman like that. A booming shot from the point. They are a little thin on righties overall but they don't need a 32 year old with a 5 mil cap hit.

As much as I liked Torts and his kind of hockey, it was time to move on. The team obviously didn't want to play for him anymore. I thought he should have been allowed a full season with this group of players but anyway this team will need that skilled defenseman if they feel it is cup worthy. If they can put that player or get DZ to do it, this is a good hockey team. Capable of beating any team in the league when healthy. Might even be why DZ is sitting right now. They want to take a week or so to work with him. Give him their full attention. Maybe it works whatever they're doing works and the kid comes back swinging. They don't want to give up on him.

Miller just played his 40th and 41st games. Meaning the clock starts on his 7 years of NHL service and he can become a UFA. They just made it a tougher decision to send him down. The AHL is where he belongs. He needs to hone his craft a bit. He's fearless but young still. The coaches in Hartford have done a wonderful job developing players. Kreider has been a revelation so far. Let Miller go the same rout. At least a month or 2. Pouliot can be a scratch any night.

Bro, nothing would make me happier than to see MacIlrath in a NYR jersey. I just don't know that while he has improved his skating, it's good enough for the NHL. He can & will skate well enough some day but I'm not sure it's this year. Honestly I think Allen might just be ahead of him in his development. The Rangers need a righty shot.

I don't pay attention to win/lose records in Hockey fights. You have to have a guy willing to stick up for teammates and police the game. If you have a guy like McIlrath in your lineup, teams will test him at first but then it's known if you get too bold with our guys he's coming for blood. No one is going to man handle everyone he fights. Not in North American pro hockey. No matter how tough you are, there's someone tougher. Simple as that. McIlrath needs to work on his skating more than anything. In the preseason with the Rangers, he had trouble skating backwards. Mostly pivoting from forwards to skating backwards. Even the best skaters in the NHL have trouble keeping up with the speedy forwards. I don't thing he's going to be ready until at least next season. Aaron Johnson would be the first call up this season if need be. Also why the Rangers should be careful about trading Del Zotto. There's Falk to step in but after that, who steps in for an injured defenseman? Who plays when one needs a night off? Need to have reinforcements in this league. The deeper team wins. Especially in the playoffs.

I wouldn't mind if Girardi was let go in the summer or traded but there's the point of handed ness. The Rangers only have 2 righties and there's just not many righties out there. How can you allow a righty defenseman to walk when you already need another one with him on the team? He's (Girardi) still on the top pairing and plays his butt off blocking shots. It's possible he's not resigned but then the Rangers would be looking for 2 righties or they'd be playing with 5 lefties. That makes it hard for defenseman to clear the zone from their off side. Their stick is facing the middle of the ice instead of the boards on the off side. Ie lefty on the right side.

I didn't read you're entire post but you're right. I didn't mean to attack you but if you liked Torts so much why call him an ass? There's always a method to the madness. The Rangers were thin on the left side and like I said before the same move worked with Ovie after he had a real down year and he looked predictable to defenders. Since that same move he won a Hart Trophy.

I've been sticking up for DZ for years now. I'm done holding my breath. I do play so I understand it's an adjustment but that doesn't hold weight on the PP at the blue line with time and space yet he elects to pass. He doesn't shoot nearly enough. I'm not saying to trade him but I've told many people to wait for this year. I'm still waiting. 3 points is not good enough at this level from the guy that should lead the defense in scoring and he would if he'd just shoot the puck. Arniel has the PP in a 1-3-1. That leaves DZ as the only high option. He has to shoot. It's not good enough.

I didn't read you're entire post but you're right. I didn't mean to attack you but if you liked Torts so much why call him an ass? There's always a method to the madness. The Rangers were thin on the left side and like I said before the same move worked with Ovie after he had a real down year and he looked predictable to defenders. Since that same move he won a Hart Trophy.

How are you going to call someone stupid and spell it wrong. "What and ass"! That's great mo. Torts is a hockey genius. You make yourself out to be one of the people you spoke of who have no clue except for the morning box score. Torts wanted to load the top line with his big 3. Nash-Richards-Gaborik so someone has to play the LW no? Oats did the same in Washington with Ovechkin moving from Left to Right Wing and that worked just fine. Gabby is a Lefty playing his off side normally. All he did was try to put Gabby on his natural side. It might have worked but Gaborik didn't have an open mind about it and it didn't work out. We may never know but to call Torts an ass is not too bright yourself. Like it or not, Torts is a great coach. He's got the 2 of the softest players (3 if you count Burrows) blocking shots. They're winning there in Vancouver. The Rangers are now too but they began on a win streak. Ovie is back from the dead since he moved from his off wing to his natural side on the right. Many thought the NHL figured him out until the move and he takes the Hart Trophy last year. It was a good move by Torts with Gabby. He cried until Sather traded him to hockey purgatory. He's back to his right side and is he scoring? Answer- No. Not in 6 games now and counting.

@NYRblogneill@KreiderisTheChosenOne The Rangers are going to have about 30 million in cap space this summer and that's before the buyout and an increase in the salary cap. I have to think some spots will be filled by rookies but they'll have plenty of money to keep who they want. Callahan and Lundqvist will use up a lot of it but they are in good shape for the future with all the nice prospects in Hartford.

When AV was hired as NYR coach. I felt like his fast paced, offensive possession hockey was perfect for all the 2 way (defensively responsible) players here in NY. In BC he had a ton of skilled offensive players but lacked mental and physical toughness needed for those long runs into the playoffs. These are things this NYR team has a wealth of. It's like opposites attracting and creating the perfect pair. As the Ranger players pick this structure up more they'll be a tough team to play. I also feel the same goes for Torts in Vancouver. They make a perfect pair and will by seasons end be one of the top teams in the West again. Once the Rangers get (their new toy) Rick Nash back, the other players will have won games without him and should take advantage of the time & space he will get from the opposition. This is a very good time to be a Ranger fan and just 2 weeks ago it was all gloom & doom around Rangerland. No big deal.

Yeah and the two teams can switch spots in the standings too. They'll get their players back with playoff experience and go make a run while the Rangers can find themselves revert back to what we saw in California a month ago. The worst team in the NHL. The Rangers got the better end on both trades no matter what players you like or dislike. Sather took Columbus to the cleaners.

What are you talking about? Is that a mistake or am I reading that right? The guy who scored 40 twice under a defense first team wouldn't succeed in a puck possession strategy? Gaborik would have 8 goals by now on this team. I wonder if the Jackets will try to dump him at some point since they already have Horton long term. Maybe Gaborik could find himself back on Broadway for a few months before moving on in free agency.

The Pens play a system very much like the one The Rangers did under Torts. IMO the only difference is they pressure the point in the Dzone when the puck comes above the hash marks. This will be AV's first NYR vs Pitt as coach in NY. This game is big. If the Rangers play smart and are careful with the puck they could win here. The North/South hockey game the Pens play relies on turnovers. Have to make them go 200 ft to score. Limit their odd man rushes. Stepan needs a follow up game. LGR. Possess the puck all night and they can't win. Must score on PP because they will score eventually. Take advantage of the Pens mistakes.

The Rangers have a top 5 blue line in the NHL. So that's not the worst thing in the world. Especially with the change in coverages. He must not be doing too bad to remain on the top pairing. Look at QoC stats. Every shift of every game, Girardi plays the toughest competition on the team. If he were 2nd or 3rd pair we might be nominating him for president.

I agree Girardi has looked out of place this season so far. In saying that how can he look for 5-6 mil in his next contract when the Rangers just signed their best defenseman (Mac) to a $4.7mil (per) contract. Girardi is behind and has made some uncharecteristically bad plays with the puck early on. The problem with trading him is that he and Strahlman are the only righties on the Blueline. They don't have another one NHL ready so unless the trade is D for D righty for righty. I'd say let him finish in NY and walk at the end of the year.

What about goals? Which of those big tough guys is going to score? IMO they should look for a guy that makes his living in the crease. A top 6 winger willing to find rebounds and screen the goalie or get tips in front from point shots. Moulson is available and a big guy who needs a change of scenery is Stewart(STL). He plays like Lucic in Boston and can score. He's 6'2" 230lbs and fights well but from a top 6 spot. Sticks up for teammates all the time but he just signed a new $4 mil contract after scoring 18 goals and 36 points in 48 games last year to lead the Blues. If not Moulson is probably available in Buffalo for mostly draft picks. That's all they want in a rebuild.

Why Girardi? He's on the top pairing for a reason and have you watched any ranger games the last 7 years? Have you seen how he playes every shift? I would love to have Everle here in NY but I don't know the Rangers could afford him at 6 mil unless either the Oilers take salary back in the shape of a bad contract or they retain salary as part of the trade. Del Zotto & Pyatt would be close to 4 mil in cap space and the Oilers could use a big veteran forward like Pyatt who also has an expiring contract. Hemsky does little for us and he's on the final year of a 2 year $10 mil ridiculous contract. For his production he isn't worth that. I doubt Sather is interested in trading a young Defenseman for Hemsky. Yakapov is obviously talented but maybe lost interest in losing every game. I don't know if Broadway is what he needs and The Rangers don't have many Russians in the organization for a reason I'm sure. Buchnevich is the only one.

Gagne is the only player I could see helping the Rangers out. He's young and has quietly improved year after year.

So you want the Rangers to just get rid of DZ and for nothing? He's a 23 year old defenseman that has a 41 point +20 season to his credit. Teams in need of defense would swipe him up in a second. The only reason he is still here is because the Rangers still believe in him. That he can be a star some day. The "turnover machine" critique is no longer valid. He has need pretty good defensively the last year or so. His mins went up last year under Torts (23:10 ATOI) last season. Which shows trust. His Fenwick stats are pretty average. He doesn't miss the net anymore than any other player on the team or in the league. His Fenwick stats prove this. He just has to shoot more. He is for some reason a little "gun shy" with the puck. I think a team like the Avs or the Oilers would want Del Zotto pretty badly. Maybe even Buffalo! He's on an expiring RFA contract so that may be appealing to a team on a rebuild like Buffalo or Edmonton. I would think (like I said earlier) if AV hears about Moulson, he'd want him here. Without a great shot from the point, the Rangers need a guy that's willing to live in the crease. Moulson is that guy. With or without Nash here.

I don't think the Rangers put Nash on LTIR yet. However, it's been 10 games since the injury. Sather can put him on LTIR retroactive to the date of injury and bring him back when he's ready to return. Moulson would fit what AV wants very much. Seems like a good fit to me. At just over 3 mil cap hit, DZ would clear most of the needed cap space. Moulson is a player the Rangers need badly with or without Nash in the lineup. He's made a living in the opponents crease for years now. The Rangers will have about 3 mil in cap space at the deadline but why wait that long with the injury to Nash. Another team may grab him before then. He shouldn't cost too much to rent and the Rangers will have plenty of money to work with this summer. AV talks about Kessler in front and I think it's something he'd want Sather to get.

Hey, if the Rangers can get Moulson for Del Zotto & picks. Sather has to do it. AV stresses driving to the net and in the Eastern Conference is there any one player who has made a better living there than Moulson? He's certainly the best in the Rangers division the last 3-4 years. He carries a cap hit of a little over 3 mil. DZ is at around $2.5 mil. The Rangers can make that deal work by putting Pyatt on waivers or including him in the deal. Keep Mashinter in the lineup. I like his play so far. The Sabres are in a rebuild. Their GM wants draft picks and the faster he can get them the better he looks. Moulson is a good fit here. He's played in NY for a while now and thrived here. Even with Callahan & Nash in the lineup, there's a need for a tough forward or an offensive defenseman. DZ hasn't been that player we thought he'd become. His contract expires at seasons end just like Moulson. More space the Sabres can use in the summer and they'd control his rights. It's a win for both sides. Sather has to make this happen.

That 2 weeks is 8 games. What if they go 2-6 in those 8 and find themselves in a deeper hole. Even with all the players on this team healthy. They didn't seem like a power house team offensively. I think if they can bring in a gritty winger that will battle all the time on every shift for a draft pick. Just do it. Pyatt can go. Zuc has done nothing. If not, then demote these players to Hartford (if they don't get claimed on waivers) and bring back some of the kids that have played so well in the AHL. Pouliot has done little but he has speed to burn and has made place causing scoring chances. It's a matter of time before he breaks out and gets red hot. Right now this team is getting nothing from Stepan or Brassard. With the injuries they have to be the top players. No more of this 75% crap. Get er done boys. Let's go.

I also think life isn't so bad without DZ in the lineup. We can live with Falk. Send DZ packing. He's going to want more money this summer. No thanks. J Moore out plays him every shift.

Most of the bad goals were allowed off the rush like the 1st one by St Louis (Steen). Staal let him go right around him to the net. The goal against the Ducks (Perry) as well. He went right around McDonagh. I don't understand how or if AV has different coverage schemes on rushes like that but I'd think its pretty basic. The defense has been pretty bad.

I agree but most teams use the "Low zone collapse". They use the strategy when the puck is below the hash marks at the Faceoff dots. Torts used the Low zone no matter where the puck was. The problem here is that the Rangers are doing the opposite. AV uses an overload which is a man to man coverage. The use of man coverage low in the d zone is tough to pull off successfully. Much harder to stick to players when you can't grab anymore. The players today are so fast they're gone in a flash and if you follow too far from the scoring area. A scoring chance is what ensues. AV needs to incorporate a zone coverage scheme for when the opposition moves the puck down low in the Rangers zone. The Rangers will get better but the coach needs to take onus.

That'll change eventually. It's just a matter of time in this up tempo style of play. A couple quick strikes and/or a win goes a long way in building team confidence. They all need to see results and the character on this team will show. I think it begins with being able to keep the other team off the board when you can't score or keeping the game close until the opponant makes a mistake. The Man coverage they play now is much more difficult and the premise is much different than the "Low Zone Collapse" they played the last 3-4 seasons. It should take some games to pick it up but they can win some games along the way.

Exactly how are they going to ship out 2 ELC and bring back an NHL roster player? There's no Cap space left. To make a trade this year, most teams will have to both send and receive salary. In saying that, I don't think the deadline will be very busy this season. Most teams are right against the cap. Teams that have space don't spend much. The NYI are the only team with money that may make a trade.

Richards will be bought out at the end of the season regardless of what he does but I expect a 65+ point season from him. He's playing with 2 other playmakers and will benefit with 25 goals. Pouliot will have a breakout season on Broadway. Brassard will break 20 goals and score 60 points as well.

Hey every one wants more offense. More offense and to heck with defense. Well when you don't play defense and go down 2 quick you lose. Defense wins championships. Offensive teams lose big games 4-1. That's preseason but it's a preview into the season.